Uncover the 19th century story of intrepid gold miners in Bendigo. A glorious heritage town stepped in the Australian story. Hop aboard the vintage tram and stop at the Bendigo Art Gallery Deborah gold mine or Chinese Dragon Museum. There are weekend markets, main street shopping vibe and a flourishing food and drink culture.
TOP THINGS TO DO IN BENDIGO
- Talking Tram, vintage tram with six stops for hop on and hop off town exploration
- Deborah Gold Mine Tours
- Bendigo town walks
- Dragon Chinese Museum
- Bendigo food scene
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK IN BENDIGO
Relish the taste of farm to plate cuisine. Bendigo is a must go destination for foodie lovers. The town’s renowned food and wine scene has Australia’s first-ever designated UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy.
WHAT TO DO NEAR BENDIGO?
Bendigo is part of the Victorian gold mining region, nearby is the Castlemaine Botanic Gardens, spa wellness treatments at Hepburn Springs to Kyneton Victorian era main street with galleries and cafes welcoming visitors, Daylesford with its Convent Gallery, cafes, shops and food scene and nearby Creswick wool mill.
HOW FAR IS BENDIGO FROM …
Bendigo | Melbourne | 151 km |
Bendigo | Daylesford | 75 km |
Bendigo | Castlemaine | 38 km |
Bendigo | Kyneton | 57 km |
Bendigo | Hepburn Springs | 72 km |
HOW TO GET AROUND BENDIGO
Spending a few days getting to know Bendigo, then take the opportunity to get around town on the Talking Tram.
CELEBRATE BENDIGO FESTIVALS
- As a celebrated food, wine and craft brew host Bendigo has a number of food and drink festivals focused around spring, easter and major Australian public holidays.Â
- The town is a popular destination in October for the Bendigo Agricultural Show.
- The Easter Show in Bendigo acknowledges the Chinese contribution to the region with dragon dancing and balloon launches.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BENDIGO AND BALLARAT?
Bendigo is visitor friendly with cafes, galleries and events year round to welcome visitors. Ballarat is a large tour bus destination due to its proximity to Melbourne. Ballarat is home to a recreated gold mining village, Sovereign Hill while Bendigo has an authentic gold mine.
Bendigo to Ballarat is 115 km
The best time to visit Bendigo is year round. Summer is concerts, gallery exhibitions, weekend markets and sports events. Spring and autumn is a blaze of colour with spring pops of red and yellow. Winter offers cosy art galleries, the warm interior of heritage tram and an indulgent spa on the horizon.
Bendigo has a temperate climate with winter a brisk, yet not freezing average temperature between 11 – 15 c making winter walks comfortable.
Bendigo and Ballarat offer differing experiences. Bendigo is a gourmet foodie treat with an authentic 19th century gold mine tour as a bonus. Ballarat is several art galleries, a superb family day out at Sovereign Hill (recreated gold mine village) and is closer to Melbourne.
WHY GO TO BENDIGO?
Bendigo has a wedding destination, a place for indulgence, a honeymoon
- Luxurious accommodation with local wineries offering catering services nestled among vineyard gardens.
- Bendigo has a number of spas and wellness centres. Check with a trusted advisor for tips on the best venue for your requirements.
- Guests have a choice of activities from cycling trails, parks to exercise in, heritage fans have nineteenth century buildings to examine and culture fans world class galleries and craft shops to wander through.
Bendigo is a great place for families to visit either for a weekend or an extended stay
- An authentic mine tour suitable for all ages
- Lakes and parks to kick a ball, jump and run in
- Talking tram ride
- Rural town vibe where casual and relaxed charm offers something for everyone
Bendigo is Victorian heritage and history in spades. Â
- An original Deborah underground gold mine
- Heritage buildings and sites
- Oldest continuous working pottery in Australia
- Archeological sites
BENDIGO TALKING TRAM
Start your exploration on the Bendigo talking tram. The tram has six stops, hop on and hop off. Bendigo’s key landmarks and monuments. The glorious interior and the professionalism of the tram’s team makes for an entertaining way to get around Bendigo. Bendigo Tram is a not for profit community organisation.
Your ticket purchase is a feel good visitor investment as it is visitor dollars supporting local endeavours. You can purchase tickets online or at the tram stops. Guests are given an up to date timetable upon entering the tram.
BENDIGO HERITAGE & ART HIGHLIGHTS
BENDIGO TOWN HALL
Bendigo Town Hall Tour – Bendigo & Heathcote is a must do activity for heritage lovers. Â
The town hall is a highly embellished 19th century decorative style reflecting the wealth of Bendigo gold mining heritage. The sheer scale of the curves, swirls and ornate features captures the civic pride in the town’s glittering new found wealth the gold fields brought to Bendigo. Â
NOTE: The tour is not every day. Allow 2 hours.Â
Open: Wednesday at 2.00pm or Sunday at 11.00am.
Slot a tour into your visit to a Saturday or Sunday market.
BENDIGO ULUMBARRA THEATRE
Sandhurst Gaol Tour – Bendigo & Heathcote is a tour for fans of grim nineteenth jails, complete with grey stone walls, clanging, heavy iron doors and personal tragic stories. The original jail is now a live theatre venue, the Ulumbarra Theatre.Â
Architecturally the complex rivals the Bendigo Art Gallery with its fusion between the original building and the new complex. For theatre lovers, check the event schedule and book beforehand to avoid disappointment.Â
Currently jail tours operate Tuesday and Saturday.
BENDIGO ART GALLERY
Bendigo Art Gallery is a world class gallery. Relax and reset. If you need a gift or perhaps a treasure for yourself the gallery shop is a great way to secure a Bendigo memento. This gallery is usually part of art focused tours of Victoria. There is a cafe on the premises.
SHOPPING & RETAIL THERAPY
BENDIGO POTTERY
Bendigo Pottery, established in 1858, Bendigo Pottery offers pot-making workshops and ceramics displays. The shop has an extensive collection for sale. Attached to the pottery premises are a number of independent artisans and craft vendors. For shopping buffs check out the Bendigo shopping guide for tips where to go.
BENDIGO FARMERS MARKET
Let your fingers do the scrolling and check out Bendigo Farmers Market – Explore Bendigo which market is open and obtain up to date information. Fresh produce, locally produced wine, preserved goods and locally crafted artisan goods. During winter some stalls might not attend weekly markets.
ACTIVE: ADVENTURE UP AND AWAY
HOT AIR BALOON
Hot Air Balloon Bendigo is exciting, a sheer thrill as the woosh, rush of hot flame heats air and the balloon inflates. And what a perfect photo opportunity. The scale of mining and its impact on Bendigo and other gold mining towns is very evident with the large number of poppets dotting Bendigo and district. Hot Air Balloon rides are a perfect gift or seal the joy of a special occasion.
STREET ART
Bendigo street art walking tour makes for a great Sunday morning activity. The streets are relatively empty with photo moments in every lane. Check in Bendigo Visitor Centre for a copy of the latest street map. You will be passing temptation with a number of independent art galleries dotted around town. Finish the morning in one of the numerous cafes you have discovered on your walk.
BENDIGO WALKS
Bendigo walks. Self-guided tours of Bendigo are easy to navigate, the town is not hilly or are there steps and narrow pavements. The town is wheelchair accessible.
BENDIGO ACCOMMODATION – WHERE TO STAY?
Bendigo accommodation choices galore to suit every budget. Our guide recommends you stay within walking distance of major attractions. Check with google maps where the proposed stay is in relation to the talking tram or town hall.
WHAT IS THE EASIEST WAY TO GET TO BENDIGO?
Bendigo, Australia is easily accessible on the VLine from the Melbourne Central Station. There are several daily trains. Bendigo is less than 2 hours drive from Melbourne and is especially convenient for visitors departing or arriving at Melbourne airport. If you are driving make sure to allocate time to explore the towns of Castlemaine and Kynton.
151 kmÂ
Bendigo has a small regional domestic airport connected to Sydney.
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